Dixie K. (McCarthy) Gard, 80, Lena, was called home to Heaven on the evening of Corpus Christi Sunday, June 3, 2018, at Bellin Hospital surrounded by her husband and family with repeated prayers of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, her favorite prayer.

Dixie was born on Jan. 30, 1938, in Oconto Falls to John and Ethel (Gallagher) McCarthy. She moved to Milwaukee as a child and graduated from Shorewood High School.

Dixie was a shining example of a person who chose to overcome many obstacles and live a life of joy, compassion and kindness, always putting everyone else first. Mom’s devotion to her Catholic Faith and God’s Love gave her great strength.

On Aug. 19, 1961, Dixie married the love of her life, Herbert Gard, in Milwaukee. Together they lived in the Milwaukee area until buying a dairy farm and moving to Lena in December 1969. Dixie and Herb raised their eight children on their farm.

Dixie loved being with her family, whether it was playing cards or board games, sharing meals or baking anything she could for them. She loved her grandkids and could never see them enough. Mom had a special love for Wisconsin Badgers basketball that brought her great joy.

Visitation will be held at Rhodes-Charapata Funeral Home, 438 W. Main St., Lena, from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Lena on Thursday morning from 9 a.m. until time of service. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday morning at the church with Fr. Celestine Byekwaso officiating with numerous priests concelebrating and the assistance of her son Deacon Peter Gard. Burial will take place at St. Charles Cemetery in Lena. Please visit RhodesCharapata.com to express online condolences.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask memorials be offered to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

The family would like to thank Dr. Cynthia Lasecki and Dr. Saied Assef for their many years of exceptional love and care. In addition, the family is grateful to the Bellin team and Dr. Michael Swift and RN Daniel Campos who provided such loving and gentle care for Dixie on her final journey.